Lupul anxious to get back with Leafs

It's been three weeks since Joffrey Lupul, his signature still fresh on a five-year contract extension, suffered a broken right forearm during a game in Pittsburgh when he was hit by a Dion Phaneuf slapshot. (QMI Agency/Files)

Wednesday night will mark three weeks that Lupul, his signature still fresh on a five-year contract extension, suffered a broken right forearm during a game in Pittsburgh when he was hit by a Dion Phaneuf slapshot.

What has made his role as spectator easier to digest is the Maple Leafs’ 8-5 record.

“There is definitely some belief there now that we can really be a good team,” Lupul, in his first meeting with reporters since suffering the injury, said as the Leafs visited the Hospital for Sick Children on Tuesday.

“It’s really nice to see what the guys are doing. You can really feel the guys coming together.”

Lupul has been riding a bike and doing other workouts with his legs, but he has not done any upper-body exercises yet. He hopes to get back on the ice “in the next couple of weeks.”

It’s a sign of the Leafs’ depth when they’ve been winning games without Lupul and with just two goals from Phil Kessel.

Lupul, who missed the final 16 games last season with a shoulder injury, hasn’t been sitting around feeling sorry for himself.

“Mentally, I am past that initial disappointment,” Lupul said. “Getting hurt in the third game was pretty disappointing, but right now I have turned the page. I’m doing everything I can to get back as soon as possible. It definitely makes it a lot easier to see the guys winning and doing well. It’s wait and see and keep working every day and make sure I am ready to go when I do get cleared.”

Lupul anxious to get back with Leafs

Wednesday night will mark three weeks that Lupul, his signature still fresh on a five-year contract extension, suffered a broken right forearm during a game in Pittsburgh when he was hit by a Dion Phaneuf slapshot.

What has made his role as spectator easier to digest is the Maple Leafs’ 8-5 record.

“There is definitely some belief there now that we can really be a good team,” Lupul, in his first meeting with reporters since suffering the injury, said as the Leafs visited the Hospital for Sick Children on Tuesday.

“It’s really nice to see what the guys are doing. You can really feel the guys coming together.”

Lupul has been riding a bike and doing other workouts with his legs, but he has not done any upper-body exercises yet. He hopes to get back on the ice “in the next couple of weeks.”